How long can you do hypo?

[Lionfish hunter]

Is there a period of time that is not safe to do hypo salinity? I have seen 30 days many times but is it safe to do 45, 60, 70 days? My queen angel has been in quarantine for quite awhile with no symptoms, and 48 hours after introducing to the baby yellow tang school, all the little yellow guys are scratching. Still don't see anything on them but I'm trying to get on it asap. I can't do ttm becauseof my work scheduleand don't want to use copper. Already starting to lower salinity. @Jay Hemdal @Humblefish

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Well, there is hypo for ich and hypo for Neobenedenia flukes. They both have different specific gravity values and time frames.

For ich, the common treatment is a SG of 1.009 for 30 days. Some fish find this too stressful, and Uronema can crop up during this treatment. I have never done this longer than 35 days, so I can't tell you if there are long term issues.

Neobenedenia is controlled with a SG of 1.012 for 35+ days. Many fish can live long term at this level (3 to 5 months perhaps?).

Of course, many dealers hold their fish at 1.018 supposedly to curb disease, but really, that just helps with salt costs and osmotic stress. Most fish tolerate that SG on a permanent basis.

Jay

 

[Lionfish hunter]

Well, there is hypo for ich and hypo for Neobenedenia flukes. They both have different specific gravity values and time frames.

For ich, the common treatment is a SG of 1.009 for 30 days. Some fish find this too stressful, and Uronema can crop up during this treatment. I have never done this longer than 35 days, so I can't tell you if there are long term issues.

Neobenedenia is controlled with a SG of 1.012 for 35+ days. Many fish can live long term at this level (3 to 5 months perhaps?).

Of course, many dealers hold their fish at 1.018 supposedly to curb disease, but really, that just helps with salt costs and osmotic stress. Most fish tolerate that SG on a permanent basis.

Jay

Thanks for the reply, that answers my question. In my opinion, you're the person with the most experience who is always willing to help people at a moments notice!
48 hours since the itching started and I still don't see any ich on the yellow tangs, so I paused the drop in salinity at 1.019 and treated with prazi praying it is flukes. I don't know if new born fish can make it through ich treatments, these guys are under an inch.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for the reply, that answers my question. In my opinion, you're the person with the most experience who is always willing to help people at a moments notice!
48 hours since the itching started and I still don't see any ich on the yellow tangs, so I paused the drop in salinity at 1.019 and treated with prazi praying it is flukes. I don't know if new born fish can make it through ich treatments, these guys are under an inch.

Yes, there s the thought that smaller fish, with a different surface to volume ratio can be adversely affected by meds. They can also be more affected by salinity changes.
Jay